I'm sure a lot of you saw that Michael Jackson thing on 20/20 last night. Wow. Though he's obviously disturbed, the special provided at least a couple of reasons for people to feel more pity towards him than anything else. It was safely established that this guy never had anything resembling a normal life - and I don't mean that in the same way it can be said for anyone who's been a celebrity their whole life. The interviewer kept trying to make a point of explaining to Jackson that while he might see nothing wrong with his own behavior, the rest of the world had reason to think differently. After all, in this day and age, sleeping in the same bed as children not-your-own is a one-way ticket to Jeffrey Jonesville, no matter your intentions. What I found interesting was that Jackson is evidently completely incapable of following, much less understanding the morale and ethical code of the world he lives in. And in a way, it's not hard to see why that would be. The guy's never really been a part of normal, everyday society. I wouldn't condone anyone who goes on television and talks about sleeping with the Home Alone kid as if it's a good thing, but in some strange way, he came off more eccentric than evil or soulless.
Despite that, there were some disturbing moments during that expose. For me, watching him trying to feed his kid was the toughest thing to watch. My family, full of people who've spent plenty of time holding bottles up for babies' mouths, commented that he looked like he'd never held a kid in his life. I was more concerned that he was trying to feed the kid through the towel on the baby's head, making it seem like the damn milk was penetrating through the towel and into the baby's mouth like some demonic Michael Jacksonized version of filtration. The part when he confessed that he liked to drive around hotels in an electric wheelchair was pretty goofy too, but in truth, I'd probably like doing that myself.
He's obviously got some sociopathic qualities about him, though. There were some points where he was lying, clearly lying, and he seems to have forced himself to actually believe his lies. For me, that makes him a little more scary - you really can't tell for sure what really goes on in his life because he doesn't have that mystery inner thingamajig that keeps normal people from being able to pull off such tall tales. Then there's the nose thing. The creepy nose thing.
After watching the show and interview, I honestly don't believe he's molested any kids. I don't think anyone, even someone as loopy as Jackson, would go on national television and admit to sleeping with other people's kids in their bed after such allegations unless they knew in their heart that they did nothing wrong. There's one mystery factor in all of this, though - who the hell knows what Michael believes as 'wrong?' What we'd consider child molestation might seem more like a pat on the back to a guy who brings 45 mannequins everywhere he goes.
I don't know why I'm writing about this. I've got no attachment to Jackson either way. I just wish I had his ferris wheel. :/
REPLIES: 40 comments
I watched the M.J. interview/documentary last night, mostly hoping to have a laugh and cement my belief that he is honest-to-God certifiable (mission accomplished). I agree with Barbara Walters' synopsis that in the end, I was left feeling mostly sad. Until today. Having visited Fark.com, I came upon the link to TheSmokingGun.com, where the court documents (sworn affadavits) of J. Chandler, the 13 year old that M.J. was accused of molesting, tell an entirely different story than M.J. did on last night's program. Since I almost vomited reading it the first time, I am not going to quote it, but submit the link instead:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/doc_o_day/mjdec1.html
Perhaps this will change your belief, as it did mine, that he never molested any kids.
(Nevertheless, I still have the Michael Jackson puffy sticker on my mirror. I don't even know if it will come off)
Chestnuts roasted by Jennifer @ 02/07/2003 11:57 AM EST
Damn that Smoking Gun. :) I moonwalk in simulated shame.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/07/2003 11:59 AM EST
Testimony doesn't mean what it used to. Remember, this was a civil and not a criminal case, why was this?
Jacko still is creepy, though.
--Ferris Wiel
Chestnuts roasted by Ferris Wiel @ 02/07/2003 12:26 PM EST
I can't believe that I missed that last night. I was too busy drinking at a bar. Does anyone know if they're going to air it again?
Oh, and Matt? "TNMT"?
Who else is waking up EXTRA early and getting a big ol' bowl of Cocoa Puffs to watch the new cartoon tomorrow?
Chestnuts roasted by Jeremy @ 02/07/2003 12:47 PM EST
not to get into a war thing over michael jackson, but if you're going to read jordan chandler's statement, you have to read the circumstances revolving around it. there was a really good article in GQ magazine, back when the whole thing was going on. it discussed all the shady things going on in the chandler family, and with the chandler lawyers basically making a case that jordan chandler was lieing, and forced by his father evan to make up the statement. http://www.divinityinmotion.com/extortion.html
i haven't watched the program yet, taped it, but i think if i was him i'd lie too. his..."aura" has gone so far beyond reality, what is the point in telling the truth now? no one would believe it anyway lol. i can't imagine what it's like to be him. it must be awful.
Chestnuts roasted by sara @ 02/07/2003 01:00 PM EST
The only thing for sure is that it's really scary either way. If it's true, it's frightening. Frightening that there's another person like that in the world, and frightening that there's another person like that in the world that can literally purchase silence.
If it's not true, it's perhaps even scarier.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/07/2003 01:04 PM EST
I have no empathy for the guy, he's totally insane and won't even admit things that are completely obvious (That he bleached his skin, got ungodly amounts of plastic surgery, etc.). If your going to live such a bizzare lifestyle you might as well believe in what your doing and not deny everything. The only thing he seems to believe in is sleeping with children, and I really wouldn't be suprised if his little sleepovers have turned into pedo-fests on multiple occassions. The only sad part for me was when the kid who used to have cancer was on, the kid is totally brainwashed and seems to believe that Micheal is responsible for his recovery, and then Micheal starts spouting out crap like "LOL MEDICINE ISN'T ALWAYS RIGHT". The man should be put down. I won't even go into how he treats his kids. At least one of them won't live to be 10 years old, Micheal will either drop them off a building or end up suffocating them with his maddening child feeding techniques.
PS: We (Your abandoned X-E children :((((( ) still heart you.
Chestnuts roasted by Jesbus @ 02/07/2003 01:24 PM EST
What was really unbelievable to me about the scene with the cancer kid you mentioned was that Michael was so oblivious to his public perception that he'd actually allow a camera crew to film him holding hands with a little boy while the kid is resting his head on Jackson's shoulder. Yes, he's insane.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/07/2003 01:29 PM EST
Climbing up trees sounded fun, having a theme park sounded like a dream, having your own little slave boy sounded reeeeeeeeeeeeally gross and creepy. But in other news...everyone go check out my whale in the whale section! It got 50 bonus points for the crab, woo!
ps: thanks for the person who reminded me about the new TMNT show coming on tomorrow, i nearly forgot about it.
Chestnuts roasted by Kennef @ 02/07/2003 03:17 PM EST
I've never liked mj, at least not since I was old enough to consider what I was listening to. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good old nonsense where men and women are always dating and having fights in a musical universe, but...now I'm just getting off topic. In fact, I'm trying to do to many things at once, and I completely forgot what I was going to put here...oh well, I'll post it anyway. DEATH TO POP! (the new pop that is)
Chestnuts roasted by Brandon @ 02/07/2003 03:20 PM EST
It's damn near impossible to forget that the new cartoon starts tomorrow. My girlfriend's mom must've given me at least 30 of those book covers. I have no idea what to do with them, either.
Chestnuts roasted by Jeremy @ 02/07/2003 03:28 PM EST
When i saw it on monday, (in the uk) we didnt get a Barbara Walters synopsis, whoever she is. Well either way, looks like MJ is still stuck in a childhood that he never had when he was younger.
Looks lije He doesnt mean any harm, and sees everything innocently. While the baby feeding, kids with masks and 12 yr old dude were creepy, i suppose the world would be a better place if everyone was more innocent, but minus the creepiness.
Chestnuts roasted by vyle @ 02/07/2003 03:30 PM EST
ads in the MIDDLE of articles? :\
Chestnuts roasted by wack0 @ 02/07/2003 03:31 PM EST
To be fair, people with that rare skin disease do have the option of removing the rest of their pigmentation; should the disease cover damage a majority of skin. Since he is black the loss of pigmentation can be more startling than on a white person. As for the rest of his life... scary.
Chestnuts roasted by Tim @ 02/07/2003 03:33 PM EST
Matt, I've always thought that you and I think alike, which is a scary thought. Todays post about MJ, however, solidified this theory. I came away from that train wreck....er....show with the same weird feeling. Empathy bordering on disgust. My girl was paying attention mainly to the dialogue, but I was focused on what was going on around him. The mannequins in the hotel were too much. How about the Mardi Gras masks on the kids. But the thing that struck me the most, was how child like he was acting as he walked through the store in Vegas. Hell, he was reported to have spent at least 2 mil in that place, yet, he didn't seem to know the name of the salesman who was helping him. Just "yoo hoo"s and whistle blows. It was eerie. Eerie Indiana.....
Chestnuts roasted by Draven @ 02/07/2003 04:19 PM EST
Any reason why the e-mail for you in the about section is mike@x-entertainment.com? And why does it say t.n.m.t on the front page? Eh, I think I need to go outside.
Chestnuts roasted by Messer @ 02/07/2003 05:28 PM EST
Simple. We goofed. Twice! :O
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/07/2003 05:29 PM EST
The thing that puzzled me the most was the fact that his son is totally white. Although he was wearing the mask, you could still see that he had really fair skin and straight blonde hair. Jacko is technically African American, so shouldn't some of those traits appear in his offspring, even though the mother is white. Also with his new baby, he said that the surrogate mother was black, yet it too appeared to be caucasion.
Chestnuts roasted by Baum @ 02/07/2003 05:42 PM EST
Yeah, that part was pretty stupid, too. I really should've taped that show for a review, or at least for screencaps to view whenever I feel the need to feel better about myself.
PS - what about that painting he had of himself, naked and surrounded by three-year-old naked child cherubs? More Michael Fun.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/07/2003 05:56 PM EST
I believe I'm the only one who didnt watch the special last night. (Friends night) I am pretty tired of the medias focus on one person. If there were no cameras near him, I'm sure that MJ would just fade into the woodwork of our screwed up world. Anyway about the baby thing, I thought the accusations of "abuse" were overblow, especially when the previous weeks story was of that woman beating the crap out of her kid in the mall parking lot. Now thats abuse!
Chestnuts roasted by BaXter @ 02/07/2003 06:27 PM EST
i agree about the mj thing. hes not a molester in my view, i reckon he sees himself as some sort of child, but hes still realy weird, but the reason im writing is to say,
hooooooooohaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, im so fuckin happy i had my whale shown on the site. horay!!!
Chestnuts roasted by 'tin man @ 02/07/2003 06:51 PM EST
I think there were points where Crazy Michael got the equally crazy idea that he could teach the world new things as far as love. It's almost as if he was trying to say we're all missing out based on society's predjudices and that we all could benefit by sleeping with various children in our beds. Unfortunately, all your points kinda backfire if your nose is falling off as you're saying 'em.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 02/07/2003 06:54 PM EST
His nose is cute and dainty, like a popple. Eeee!
Chestnuts roasted by Kennef @ 02/07/2003 07:44 PM EST
Michael Jackson is like a scarier clown that has some fettish you youth.
But still, just because he once was a little african american boy who is now a caucasian woman, there is no reason to hate him. Sure he may be completely fucked up and leave those malaria mosquito masks on his kids all the time, but he is doing it for the kids. They probably can't see what a fucked up scary woman that their father is, and are probably better because of it.
And sixthly, if anyone else had mad cash (even the unspecified "you") like Michael got, everyone and their mother would be sueing him or her for playing with their special areas, whether or not the claims were substantiated or not. Think about it, out of court settlement; plus you got a free ride through life because Michael Jackson treated you like a little guy in prison. Anytime you fuck up, "oh, I was just remembering when Michael made me [insert strange sexual encounter here]".
I forgot my point so I am quitting while I am so far ahead.
Chestnuts roasted by Gary C... so on and so forth @ 02/07/2003 09:08 PM EST
Almost forgot, the brief history of the many faces of Michael Jackson.
The man of 1000 12 faces.
Chestnuts roasted by Gary C... etc @ 02/07/2003 09:11 PM EST
I went crazy around the time the advent calendar stopped being updated, it's true!
Chestnuts roasted by Michael Jackson @ 02/08/2003 01:24 PM EST
I think he has the mind of a child, even though he does know good art and craftmanship when he sees it. He isn't a good father. He just has too much going on all around him to pay attention to anything except himself.
Chestnuts roasted by Gandalf @ 02/09/2003 02:54 AM EST
all i can say is Michael appreciates the subtle things in life.
No, really I felt very sad watching him too. I loved him so much growing up. Thriller was my first "grown up" record. He is obviously a product of severe abuse and absurd fame. I hope his money doesn't end up buying his children the same warped sense of reality. That stuff he is buying is never going to make it better, neither is erasing his face. Poor poor Michael. poor poor Blanket.
Blanket? oh my.
Chestnuts roasted by t-rah @ 02/10/2003 02:45 PM EST
from Michael Jackson's Oxford speech /6 March 2001/:
I would therefore like to propose tonight that we instal in every home a Children's Universal Bill of Rights, the tenets of which are:
The right to be loved, without having to earn it
The right to be protected, without having to deserve it
The right to feel valuable, even if you came into the world with nothing
The right to be listened to without having to be interesting
The right to be read a bedtime story without having to compete with the evening news or EastEnders
The right to an education without having to dodge bullets at schools
The right to be thought of as adorable (even if you have a face that only a mother could love).
Friends, the foundation of all human knowledge, the beginning of human consciousness, must be that each and every one of us is an object of love. Before you know if you have red hair or brown, before you know if you are black or white, before you know of what religion you are a part, you have to know that you are loved.
Chestnuts roasted by Ditka @ 02/10/2003 04:52 PM EST
Yes I've read the Smoking Gun copy of the court documents and yes, it looks BAD for Michael Jackson - pardon the small pun there. Things, however, are never what they seem and I would ask every open minded person to remember the GQ magazine article which came out some time after the case was settled out of court. Although a long article, it makes compelling reading and if it does not change anyone's mind, it must at least sow the seeds of doubt. I believe, as many others have said, that MJ is a sad lonely man-child, physically abused by his father and 'forced' to grow up on stage, surrounded by manipulative adults. Sadly he has been unable to escape the clutches of these manipulators - even now. I now add the British interviewer to that list. MJ is an easy target for these kinds of people as he is like an innocent child. It matters not that he is now 44. He missed out on a childhood and is now locked, like his hero Peter Pan, in a perpetual childhood of his own making. We all know that children normally tell the blunt truth so is it not strange that of all the kids who have stayed with MJ (in bed and out of bed), not a single one has ever said that anything 'bad' took place with him ? Well we do know of one boy of course, but can we believe his story ? Please read the article at
http://www.divinityinmotion.com/extortion.html
and see what you then think.
Chestnuts roasted by Bigmac (UK) @ 02/13/2003 09:43 PM EST
As i watched the interview with MJ I felt he was set-up for a big fall
The bad part he trusted him as he allowed this man come into his life. What a creep no wonder MJ leads such a lonely life and only shares his time with kids..
Chestnuts roasted by cindy @ 02/18/2003 04:35 PM EST
Iseen the barbra thing it made me feel sorry for him but that would make me like the rest go to www.smokinggun.com that's a totaly diffrent story
it's sickning if you can vitulize it one thing he siad that mj jerked him foo to a climax with his hand & withhis muoth crazy huh....don't belive me go to WWW.THESMOKINGGUN.com
Chestnuts roasted by myhubbiemj @ 07/31/2003 08:50 PM EST
I didn't see the interviews and documentaries, so I can't comment there. However, I've known since I saw the movie "Moonwalker" (which my parents still have on video somewhere) that Jackson is one CD short of a music store. Anyone who can make that movie can't be all right in the head. I still like much of his music, but what's happened to him is just plain sad, and a terrible commentary on what celebrity can do to people.
Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 08/16/2003 10:30 PM EST
Anybody want my opinion? If not, too bad, here it is anyway. I actually enjoyed watching the Living With Michael Jackson special, ask me, it showed what a rat Martin Bashir was. I loved the part where they showed Michael with his kids and when they brought all those kids to Neverland. (I especially found it funny when Michael was trying to feed his baby and the baby bit him!) And to all of you who say he doesn't know how to feed a baby, so on so on. If you watch the footage again, you'll see he lifted up one end of the scarf to slip the bottle through to him. Now on a different note, I know that Michael would like it if everyone would just forget the '93 thing, but I'm going to say my opinion. Michael was obviously a victim in the whole thing, and Chandler (whichever one wrote the court papers) hung himself in several parts of it. For one thing, Chandler wrote near the end 'Michael said I shouldn't tell anyone what happened, he said it was a secret', however in the beginning, he said 'Michael told me that there was nothing wrong with it, and just because people say it's wrong doesn't make it so'. Why would Michael first tell him there was nothing wrong with it and then say not to tell anyone? Error #1. Another thing, Chandler wrote that he confronted Michael about the acts only twice, once in the beginning where he wrote Michael put his tongue in Jordan's mouth, and near the end where it said he put his tongue in Jordan's ear. Why didn't he put a halt to the other parts where Michael was said to have masturbated Jordan to a climax, grabbed his rear end, or masturbated in front of him in the tub? Error #2. Also, everything that Chandler wrote only counted as kissing, masturbation and oral sex. I wouldn't think a pedophile would be pleased by just that, I don't think they're pleased until they go all the way, Error #3. Also, Chandler wrote that Michael named other boys he did this with, wouldn't Jordan be concerned about contracting AIDS from him? And don't forget that his father never even took him to a doctor afterwards. Error #4. This doesn't count as part of the abuse, but Chandler also wrote that the first time he slept with Michael (with no physical contact), it was because he invited him into his hotel room to watch The Exorcist and after the movie, Jordan was scared and Michael suggested he spend the night with him. Michael doesn't like children being exposed to ugly things, or things that make them too scared to go to sleep. Error #5. Outside of the court papers, there's a whole list of errors, for one thing, Evan Chandler the father was the first one to accuse Michael, not Jordan. In fact, Jordan at first denied everything his father said. And, Michael has said many times, in many different ways but meaning the same thing 'I would never hurt a child, I could never do that'. The details of the abuse only came out ONCE in court papers. If Jordan was in fact molested, why wouldn't he (or at least his father) mention it several times to the police and to news reporters, etc? Plus, Jordan described a mark on Michael's genitals, the police did a strip search and it couldn't match. It only makes sense that Michael was framed. Evan Chandler said in a statement 'I'll get everything and Michael's career will be over.' In part, Evan Chandler partly wanted to destroy Michael, he figured if everyone heard this, they'd turn against him. But his accusations have only made the true fans love him more and defend him against all the people who find him guilty. I'm only 13 and I can figure out all those errors in the court papers, why couldn't the police?
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica @ 09/09/2003 12:37 PM EST
what kind of parents would let there child be put at risk,as the parents of this second abuse allegation have? if a man has been accussed would u let ur child be with him ? if u wanted money....yes....they make me sick.& as for the jordan thing,i could b living in a box,if that happened to my child,id want his bollocks on a plate,not money !! parents should be put in the limelight & scrutinized,or does it not matter what is more important to these morons.there child or money?theanswer is clear.
Chestnuts roasted by tina @ 11/19/2003 06:01 AM EST
This whole thing is so sad. I have long ago lost interest in Michael Jackson's music. But, his police photo is haunting. I think it tells a story. I feel very sorry for him, truly. What if MJ is guilty of the new charges? A whole battery of psychiatrists have come forward in the last couple of days saying pedophilia is "hard wired," in the brain, meaning it is not changeable behavior. So, is it effective to put someone in prison as remedy? There has to be a better way. And, with all the BS that goes on in this country, where money, power and the media are concerned (like who really killed JFK) who knows...Jackson could very well be innocent.
Chestnuts roasted by rick @ 11/23/2003 09:30 PM EST
I think most of the allegations may be motivated by "money", and it's ashamed that adults would use their own children to get into their "get rich" schemes.
However, I do believe Michael set himself up this time. If, however, Michael did not have sexual relations with Jordan Chandler in 1993, would it be safe to say now, that he should have learned his lesson? Not just with blackmail, but with the media, criticism from his peers, family and friends?
It is kinda strange why he would continue to put himself in that situation.
Don't get me wrong, I still like his music, and what he has accomplished, but this time, I believe the children who have been involved with him. It's one thing to have them over as guests in his house. It's another thing when you take advantage of them.
Chestnuts roasted by AudieJCerezo@hotmail.com @ 12/11/2003 02:46 AM EST
Uh Rick, what do you mean Michael could very well be innocent? He IS innocent, the police just don't want to admit it. I swear, there's nothing left to depend on the police for. I swear, all the officers who deserve it could just drop dead here and now and I wouldn't be sorry at all. They destroy innocent people's lives and let the murderers and rapists go free because they're scared of them. The police are already as good as dead if you ask me, what do you think?
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica @ 12/17/2003 12:53 AM EST
How come Michael Jackson always has boys sleeping in his bed. Are there any girls that come to his house to stay the night. Whats up with the secret room that has pictures of half naked teenage boys on the walls.
Chestnuts roasted by Stacey @ 12/29/2003 08:48 PM EST
I think I know what the secret room is you're talking about, it doesn't have pictures of half naked boys. It has pictures of Michael, his friends, his mother, at least it did. Who knows what the police took when they raided his home? Would it really take 80 officers to search a 25-room house? They never said if they searched the guest rooms or the servant's quarters. In my opinion, if anyone's harmed their credability in this case, it's the DA.
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica @ 02/06/2004 01:33 PM EST
